2.

Interactions between strangers(My page)

Human beings are very social animals. One consequence is the importance of
communication between them.[1] As individuals, we belong to very many
different identity groups each with their own sets of values and expected behaviors.
No two people have the same make-up of identity groups and no two people
belonging to the same identity group have the same rank-ordering of the values of that
identity group. Each person is culturally complicated and culturally unique.[2] And
also the way people communicate with others varies from culture to culture.
2.1. verbal
The most important thing when people interaction with others is conversation. Due to
different culture background, the conversations between strangers can be diverse.
First of all, there is barely talking between strangers in some east countries. That is
because parents in those countries usually teach their kids not to speak to people they
do not know. And even when kids have troubles like lost their way, they should go ask
police men rather than ordinary strangers. The reason is that people think they do not
know those strangers as well as they do not know whether those people will hurt them
or not. They would rather not having the conversations rather than put themselves in a
dangerous situation. One result is that the Chineseconsciously or otherwisesee
the world in terms of two groups of people: Their own circle of relationships on one
side, and everyone else on the other. In other words, they have a much stronger
distinction between In versus Out groups.[3]

On the contrary, people in west countries seem to be more open when dealing with
strangers. Its very common for people to say words like I like your shoes. They
are cute. People will be really direct when they saw strangers dresses and like
them. It is also very common for them to ask or answer questions. Sometimes its
just some chat. People will not get uncomfortable about these conversations.

2.2. nonverbal
Except conversations, body and emotion languages are also important when it comes
to interactions between people.
One thing that freaked him out was the fact that he would make eye contact, smile and say
hello to passing Chinesebut not a single person responded or smiled back (instead staring
back with confused looks)[4]In western countries if two strangers see each other on the street,
they will nod and smile to each other. While people in eastern countries will just ignore others
they do not know on the street.

[1] Fay, Richard Communicating in another language: The influence of culture. 2000. Athens and
Patras, Metachmio ,2000. Print.
[2]Gudykunst, William B, Stella Ting-Toomey, and Elizabeth Chua. Culture and Interpersonal
Communication. Newbury Park, Calif: Sage Publications, 1988. Print
[3]China Mike, Retrieved 2015-03-02
[4]China Mike, Retrieved 2015-03-03